Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono said: "The announcement of this additional unit completes the first part of the renewal of our navy’s fleet, one of the world’s most significant defence programmes of the last years.

"We are extremely satisfied and excited to be leaders of such an important project, both technically and industrially."

"We are extremely satisfied and excited to be leaders of such an important project, both technically and industrially."

The new contract is part of a multi-year programme worth €5.4bn for the renewal of the navy’s fleet.

The programme will also see the construction of six patrol vessels, along with four options, and one logistic support unit.

Finmeccanica, through Selex, will provide the combat system that will support landing craft, provide vessel self-defence and coordinate and control operations.

In addition, it will offer all the sensor systems, including the X-band, four-fixed-face, multifunctional scanned-array radar system, as well as latest generation integrated communications.

The company is also responsible for integrated logistic support (ILS) and in-service support (ISS) during the first decade.